Finding a good set of quality headphones is easier than ever these days; there are so many brilliant brands that offer top-shelf headphones packed with bleeding-edge technologies, Sennheiser is one of them.
Sennheiser is among the most popular brands for a very good reason; they are constantly and consistently putting out premium-quality gear, which is why most professional musicians, studio engineers, performers, and DJs turn to them when it’s time to upgrade their rig.
Today we’re going to talk about Sennheiser’s HD-25 Plus; arguably, these are currently the best headphones for DJs that are available on the market. What’s more, the ‘Plus’ version packs a variety of gratis goodies that greatly complement the performance of HD-25.
Let’s start by explaining what Sennheiser HD 25 Plus is in a nutshell. It’s a professional set of headphones that comes supplied with exceptional noise reduction technology, a perfectly balanced EQ, and a comfortable set of velour pads.
On top of that, these headphones are lightweight and sport minimal clamping pressure; this allows DJs to keep using them for hours at the end. Let’s see what you should expect from this marvelous piece of technology.
Sennheiser HD 25 Plus Review
First look / Design:
The Sennheiser HD 25 is the successor of the HD 25-II, HD 25-1-II, HD 25-C-II, HD 25-13-II headphones.
At first look, Sennheiser’s HD-25 Plus looks absolutely ravishing and exquisite. These headphones are wired with a rugged and detachable cable; this ensures reliable performance at all times.
Furthermore, one of the most amazing features of this pair is the rotatable capsule; it allows DJs to listen to the music on one ear while monitoring how the sound punches through the audience at the same time.
In terms of the actual size, the dimensions of Sennheiser’s HD-25 Plus measure 9.6 inches by 7.4 inches by 3.3 inches. They’re quite compact, but what’s more important is that they’re almost weightless; they were mere 5 ounces when equipped with all accessories.
Lastly, although there will be more words on this a bit further down the road, the Plus version Sennheiser’s HD25 comes with a carry pouch as a gratis feature; this little bonus makes it even more compact and portable.
Features / Sound quality:
Everyone who has ever owned a pair of Sennheiser cans knows that they always sound different in comparison to other headphones. The HD-25 Plus, of course, is not an exception. These headphones have a unique sonic signature; this is basically the reason why everything sounds a bit over the top while you’re using them.
First things first; Sennheiser’s HD 25 Plus rocks a very intense, yet perfectly balanced soundstage. The bass is incredibly punchy, as it should be when we’re talking about DJ headphones, but it’s also very precise. Obviously, it can’t accurately be compared to the bass response that studio headphones for the critical listening offer, but it’s still pretty liquid. If you are looking for a pair with more compelling bass response, check out one of the Denon DJ HP800 or Denon DJ HP1100.
Now, the mid-range is probably the sketchiest aspect of the EQ; most headphones have either blurry mids or, they fail to have enough presence. The HD 25 balanced it out, offering a sustainable amount of treble.
As far as the upper register goes, the highs are fairly crispy, but they’re not overly sharp. There’s just about enough chirpiness and grit to allow you to listen to insanely loud tracks with enough accuracy to know what’s going on.
What’s more, they provide a high-fidelity sonic performance fit for audiophiles due to the fact that they put out almost completely non-distorted sound. More specifically speaking, the harmonic distortion level of HD-25 Plus is less than 0.3%.
Another reason why they’re so great for professional DJs is that they can withstand 120 decibels of sound-pressure levels. In other words, these headphones are absolutely phenomenal for crowded, loud parties.
The Sennheiser HD 25 will do a decent job in home recording studios as well. For more pairs with the same ability, take a look at our list with the best headphones for music production.
In Use / Durability & Comfort:
Apart from tremendous sound quality, Sennheiser always ensures that its headphones feel comfortable and gentle to use. In this particular case, you can keep on using the HD-25 Plus for hours and hours without even feeling them; the reason for that is that they’re outfitted with remarkably plushy velour pads.
Further on that note, as well as one of the main differences between the ‘Plus’ and other versions of HD-25, this bundle includes a set of complementary replacement velour pads; they’re identical to the ones supplied to the model itself.
Additionally, the same type of material is used to cover the top end of the headband; this basically means that these headphones provide ultimate comfort; your ears and the top of your head will completely be covered in plushy velour, allowing you to keep the party going.
Lastly, the design of the earcups is phenomenal. They put up minimal clamping pressure, which further reinforces the fact that these cans are absolutely phenomenal for use over extended periods of time.
As far as durability goes, the HD-25 Plus is built like a brick house. Even though it’s lightweight and made of plastic materials, its construction is as robust as it can be.
The joints that connect the cups to the headband are designed with surgical precision; the hardware that keeps the construction intact is of phenomenal quality, and the rugged cable is built to withstand a lifetime of use.
Pros:
Sennheiser’s HD25 Plus is a professional headphone set that promises a lot in terms of sonic performance and utility.
It’s superior to all other HD-25 versions due to the fact that it offers the same sound quality, the same soundstage, and the identical EQ, with the addition of several gratis accessories; the bundle contains two rugged cables, a carry bag, as well as gratis velour pads.
With sturdy construction and premium-quality hardware, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to keep using these headphones for years, if not decades, to come.
As far as features and specs go, HD25 Plus packs some of the most exquisite technologies that are bound to remain relevant for quite some time. Premium noise cancelation and powerful drivers are just some of them.
All things considered, it’s tough to pinpoint what’s ‘best’ about Sennheiser’s HD25. This is easily one of the most valuable headphones on the actual market and will remain to be so for at least a couple of years.
Cons:
Even though everyone who has ever used HD-25 Plus will tell you that these headphones are some of the best they’ve ever used, it doesn’t mean that they are perfect per se.
The only real drawback of these cans is that they are wired. Namely, Sennheiser offers a wide array of wireless headphones that can top HD-25’s performance simply because they offer a bit more convenience. Aside from that, this little bundle holds a staggering value for the cash.
Differences between Sennheiser HD 25 Light – HD 25 – HD 25 Plus Version:
In essence, all HD 25 versions sport a similar set of features; it’s the small details that set them apart. Obviously enough, the Sennheiser 25 should be considered as the ‘core’ model, with all the other versions deriving from it.
Sennheiser HD 25 Light
Sennheiser HD 25 Light vs. HD 25 vs. HD 25 Plus - SPECS COMPARISON
| Sennheiser HD 25 Specs: | HD 25 Light | HD 25 | HD 25 Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | On-ear | On-ear | On-ear |
| Driver | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB | 120 dB | 120 dB |
| Frequency Response | 30 - 16000 Hz | 16 - 22000 Hz | 16 - 22000 Hz |
| Maximum Input | 200 mW | 200 mW | 200 mW |
| Impedance | 60 Ohm | 70 Ohm | 70 Ohm |
Let’s start off with how it’s different from the HD-25 Light. First and foremost, both the core and ‘light’ versions have the exact same soundstage and EQ, which basically means that they offer the same sonic performance.
What’s different from the Light version is that it sports a lower impedance rating; Sennheiser HD-25 Light rocks 60 ohms while the original HD-25 has an impedance rating of 70 ohms.
Furthermore, the frequency response is slightly different from the Light version; it offers the range of 30 hertz to 16 kilohertz while the original HD 25 has a range of 16 hertz to 22 kilohertz. The main difference between these two models is that HD 25 light rocks a simpler, more straightforward headband.
Specs-wise, HD-25 Pro is almost exactly the same as HD-25 Plus. Both of these models feature an impedance rating of 70 Ohms, and their frequency response range is identical (16 hertz to 22 kilohertz).
The HD-25 Plus, however, features several upgrades in terms of accessories and accompanying gear. It rocks a coiled cable, a 2nd ear-cushion set, and an additional cable for improved connectivity; these accessories also come in handy if you happen to misplace the originals.
Last, but certainly not least, the HD-25 Plus comes with a protective carry pouch; this feature is what separates it from both HD-25 and HD-25 Light. Even though it doesn’t affect the sonic performance in any way, it substantially enhances the portability of HD-25 (Plus).
Sennheiser HD 25 Light vs. HD 25 vs. HD 25 Plus - COMPARISON
| Sennheiser HD 25 Features: | HD 25 Light | HD 25 | HD 25 Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light weight design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Exchangeable cable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single sided cable | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Split headband | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Rotatable ear cup | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Extra cable included | ✓ | ||
| Extra Ear pads included | ✓ |
A list of professional DJs who have used the HD25:
- Solomun
- Martin Garrix
- Hardwell
- Above & Beyond
- Maceo Plex
- Annie Mac
- Joris Voorn
- Eric Prydz
- Marco Carolla
- Nervo
- Dubfire
- Ricardo Villalobos
- Guy Gerger
- Maya Jane Cole
- Guy J
- Tale Of Us
- Amelie Lens
- Laurent Garnier
- and many more…
For the full list, visit equipboard.com!
Sennheiser has such a massive production on headphones that we even made a list with the top 10 Sennheiser headphones on the market!
Final Thoughts:
Sennheiser never ceases to amaze with the quality of their products; they offer phenomenal headphones, microphones, and accompanying accessories for all their gear, and it’s more than fair to say that HD25 is a suitable candidate to be one of their flagship models.
This headphone set simply has it all. It sounds great, the features it comes supplied with are staggering, and the build quality of the construction itself is beyond impressive. There are a few bumps in the road in terms of things that many audiophiles and Sennheiser enthusiasts would want to see improved; overall, these headphones are absolutely phenomenal for the money.
For more high-quality professional pairs for DJing, check out the best DJ headphones of 2020!